Three-Dimensional Collectible Greeting Card

ABSTRACT

The present general inventive concept provides a collectible greeting card comprising a three-dimensional enclosure containing thematically consistent components. The exterior of the three-dimensional enclosure is decorated with words, images, or both that are thematically consistent with a toy animal included inside the enclosure. A location for a thematically consistent message is also provided in the interior of the three-dimensional enclosure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present general inventive concept relates to greeting cards. More particularly, it relates to a three-dimensional, collectible greeting card bearing a toy animal inside and having a thematically consistent exterior design. Also included is a location for a thematically consistent message.

2. Description of the Related Art

Traditional greeting cards are generally comprised of two cardboard or paper panels connected together along matching ends in a manner that permits the panels to be folded open or closed. A message and design are typically included on one or more of the panels and the card is sent to a recipient in an envelope.

Three-dimensional greeting cards are also well known in the art. Typically, these expand into a three-dimensional configuration when the greeting card is opened. In their unopened state, the greeting card can generally be inserted into an envelope for transmission to a recipient.

There is, however, the need for a three-dimensional greeting card that is capable of bearing a gift inside, which is thematically consistent with the exterior design of the three-dimensional card and included message. In accordance with the present inventive concept, one embodiment includes a three-dimensional enclosure contains a toy animal, animal-associated insert, a location for a message that is thematically consistent with the included toy animal, and an exterior design that is thematically consistent with the included toy animal.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present general inventive concept provides a collectible greeting card comprising a three-dimensional enclosure containing thematically consistent components. Included among the thematically consistent components is a toy animal and a location for a thematically consistent message inside the enclosure. Further included, the exterior of the three-dimensional enclosure is decorated with words, images, or both that are thematically consistent with the toy animal contained inside the enclosure. The toy animal housed in the enclosure can be any type of animal for which thematically consistent messages, designs and inserts can be selected to accompany.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and additional features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention with the closeable opening closed;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention with closeable opening open and bearing a toy cow inside;

FIG. 3 illustrates a sample list of thematically consistent messages that can be selected for use with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention with closeable opening open and bearing a toy dog inside.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the present invention, in some of its embodiments, includes a greeting card comprising a three-dimensional enclosure 1 containing thematically consistent components.

One embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 1 having a plurality of panels, each having an interior and exterior face, connected to one another to form a hollow cube. Three of the panels 2A, 2B, 2C are connected to three other panels along three of their edges and two panels 4A, 4B are connected to four other panels along all of their edges. One panel 3, however, is only connected to one other panel, thereby permitting the cavity 7 of the housing to be accessed by folding the panel 3 about its one connecting edge. Thus, the panel provides a closeable opening 5 for the three-dimensional enclosure 1. In another embodiment of the present invention, a transparent window is installed in one of the panels, permitting the contents in the cavity 7 of the three-dimensional enclosure 1 to be viewed without opening the closeable opening 5.

One skilled in the art will recognize that the shape of the three- dimensional enclosure 1 and panels 2A-2C, 4A, 4B, 3 themselves can be modified without deviating from the scope or spirit of the present general inventive concept. For instance, other polyhedrons can be substituted for the cubical shape. Furthermore, the composition of the panels 2A-2C, 4A, 4B, 3 is not a critical aspect of the present general inventive concept and can include cardboard (as in the present, illustrated embodiment), wood, plastic, paper, metal, or any other material that can make up panels so as to achieve a three-dimensional enclosure.

In addition to the three-dimensional enclosure 1, the present general inventive concept also includes thematically consistent components. In one embodiment, the thematically consistent components include a toy animal 10. The toy animal 10 can be any animal for which a thematically consistent message can accompany. For instance, in FIG. 2, a toy cow 10 is included inside the housing 7 of the three-dimensional enclosure 1. In FIG. 4, a toy dog 10 is included inside the housing 7 of the three-dimensional enclosure 1. Other, equally appropriate toy animals 10 include, but are not limited to, cats, birds, tigers, lions, bears, skunks, pigs, mice, lizards, fish, etc.

In one embodiment, a toy animal 10, made of a squeezable, elastomeric polymer that is biased to return to its original shape after squeezing, is placed inside. The material of the toy animal 10 is not critical to the present general inventive concept, and can be selected from an array of materials that permit the toy animal 10 to be light enough to be supported by the three- dimensional housing 1. In the present embodiment, however, the flexible and squeezable nature of the toy animal 10 permits a recipient of the three- dimensional greeting card to use the toy animal 10 as a stress reliever.

Among the thematically consistent components in one embodiment is an animal-associated insert 12, which can accompany the included toy animal 10 inside the housing 7 of the three-dimensional enclosure 1. For instance, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 includes green, shredded paper 12 surrounding and supporting a cow so as to represent grass. The inclusion of the green, shredded paper 12 is thematically consistent with the presence of the cow 10 because cows are generally found grazing in enclosed fields of grass. One skilled in the art will recognize that other colors, materials, or both can be substituted without deviating from the scope or spirit of the present general inventive concept, as long as such a substitute is thematically consistent with the particular toy animal 10 included. For instance, if a chicken is selected as the included toy animal 10, then one possibility for an included insert would be tan, shredded paper so as to portray a nest. Also appropriate, would be small spherical members so as to represent eggs.

The thematically consistent components can also include a design 16 on the exterior of the three-dimensional housing 1 that is thematically consistent with the included toy animal 10 and any associated insert 12 inside. In the present embodiment, the exterior of the housing 1 is decorated with images of a fenced-in yard at 16. Stated differently, clouds, fence posts, and grass images produce the effect that the interior 7 of the three-dimensional housing 1 is a fence-enclosed yard. This is thematically consistent with the inclusion of a cow as the toy animal 10 contained inside because it represents a common environment in which a cow would exist. Likewise, FIG. 4 portrays the same images of a fenced-in yard, which is also thematically consistent with the toy dog 10 that is included in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4. FIGS. 1-2, and 4 merely illustrate one possible embodiment for the thematically consistent exterior design 16. Other thematically consistent designs can be used without deviating from the scope or spirit of the present general inventive concept, as long as the design is thematically consistent with the included toy animal 10 inside.

The thematically consistent components also include an interior location 13, relative to the three-dimensional housing 1, for a message or greeting 14. In one embodiment, the message or greeting 14 is selected from a list 20 of thematically consistent messages. In the present embodiment, the message location 13 is on the interior face 6 of the foldable panel that opens 3 to the interior cavity 7 of the three-dimensional housing 1.

The location 13 for a thematically consistent message 14 can be in other places in the present invention. For instance, the location 13 for a thematically consistent message 14 can be on the toy animal 10 itself, on the interior face of another housing panel, or on a separate piece of material that is included in the three-dimensional cavity 7 along with the toy animal 10 and associated insert 12. Additionally, a thematically consistent image 15 can be included along with the location 13 for a selected, thematically consistent message 14.

FIG. 3 illustrates a sample list 20 of thematically consistent messages that can be selected for use with an embodiment that includes a toy cow. Specifically, the embodiment containing a toy cow, illustrated in FIG. 2, bears the selected message “Hay . . .” at 14 on the underside of the opened panel 3. The list 20 of messages thematically consistent with a toy cow, illustrated in FIG. 3, is a non-exclusive list, and can be modified without deviating from the scope or spirit of the present invention, as long as the list of messages is thematically consistent with the inclusion of at least one toy animal.

In one embodiment, a list 20 of removable, thematically consistent messages is included with a three-dimensional card. When a purchaser purchases a card to send to a recipient, the purchaser can select the appropriate message to convey and include the message 14 at the message location 13 on the card. In one embodiment, the thematically consistent messages are stickers that a purchaser can remove from the list 20 and stick onto the message location 13 in the card. In another embodiment, each three-dimensional card will come bearing a thematically consistent message 14 already included at the message location 13. In yet another embodiment, the purchaser can choose to select a thematically consistent message 14 from the included list 20 of thematically consistent messages and personally inscribe the message 14 on the card themselves at the message location 13.

Importantly, each thematically consistent component relates to one another and is primarily dependent on the selection of the toy animal 10 included inside the housing 7. For instance, if a toy cow is selected, as is shown in FIG. 2, then the associated insert 12 must relate to the idea of a cow. Additionally, the selected message 14 must include language that corresponds to the inclusion of the toy cow. Finally, the exterior design 16 of the three-dimensional enclosure 1 must also communicate an idea associated with a cow.

It is envisioned that the present invention will have numerous commercial applications. Receiving a three-dimensional card bearing a toy animal and thematically consistent message inside is exciting to a recipient. A wide variety of animals and endless color and design possibilities can be combined with a selected message to make each three-dimensional card unique to the sender and recipient. For instance, the toy cow 10 in the illustrated embodiment can be not only black, white and pink, but also blue, red, and green. Recipients can collect the different toy animals that they receive in all their different colors.

A purchaser can convey any type of message they want, as long as the message is thematically consistent with the included toy animal 10 in the card. For instance, the conveyed message does not have to be a common greeting, but can be notice of a change in circumstance, a compliment, a joke, or even a criticism. Further, in addition to the thematically consistent message, purchasers can also include personalized messages.

Generally, the present invention is a collectible, three-dimensional animal greeting card that includes a toy animal, a thematically consistent exterior design, and an interior location for a thematically consistent message. The present invention was designed to convey a message to a recipient that includes a wonderful humor factor, and further to provide an alternative to the traditional greeting card. Aside from bringing a smile to the recipient's face, the inclusion of a polyurethane toy animal can also provide a means to relieve stress.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description of some embodiments, and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A three-dimensional, collectible greeting card comprising: an enclosable housing, said housing having at least one closeable opening, said housing having an exterior design; a toy animal inside said housing; and a location for a message inside said housing; whereby said toy animal and said exterior design of said housing are thematically consistent with one another.
 2. The three-dimensional, collectible greeting card of claim 1, further comprising an animal-associated insert inside said housing; whereby said animal-associated insert is also thematically consistent with said toy animal and said exterior design.
 3. The three-dimensional, collectible greeting card of claim 1, further comprising a message that is thematically consistent with said toy animal and said exterior design included at said location for a message.
 4. The three-dimensional, collectible greeting card of claim 1, further comprising a list of thematically consistent messages, relative to said toy animal and said exterior design.
 5. The three-dimensional, collectible greeting card of claim 4, wherein said list includes thematically consistent, removable messages that can be removed from said list and placed on said location for a message inside said housing.
 6. The three-dimensional, collectible greeting card of claim 3, wherein said selected message is placed on the inside cover of said closeable opening of said three-dimensional housing.
 7. The three-dimensional, collectible greeting card of claim 3, wherein said selected message is written on the toy animal.
 8. The three-dimensional, collectible greeting card of claim 1, wherein the toy animal is comprised of an elastomeric polymer biased to return to its original shape after being squeezed or flexed.
 9. The three-dimensional, collectible greeting card of claim 1, wherein said enclosable housing includes a transparent window.
 10. A three-dimensional, collectible greeting card comprising: a three-dimensional, enclosable housing, said housing including an interior cavity, said housing having at least one closeable opening, a toy animal inside said housing; an animal-associated insert inside said housing that is thematically consistent with said toy animal; an exterior design on said housing that is thematically consistent with the selected toy animal and associated insert included inside said housing; a location for a message in the interior of said housing; and a list of thematically consistent messages, relative to said toy animal inside said housing, said animal-associated insert, and said exterior design of said housing; whereby a user can select a specific, thematically consistent message from said list and place it on said location for a message inside said housing.
 11. The three-dimensional, collectible greeting card of claim 10, further comprising a thematically consistent message, relative to said toy animal, said animal-associated insert, and said exterior design, included at said location for a message.
 12. The three-dimensional, collectible greeting card of claim 10, wherein said list of thematically consistent messages is included inside said housing.
 13. The three-dimensional, collectible greeting card of claim 11, wherein said selected message is placed on the inside cover of said closeable opening of said enclosable housing.
 14. The three-dimensional, collectible greeting card of claim 11, wherein said selected message is written on the toy animal.
 15. The three-dimensional, collectible greeting card of claim 10, wherein the toy animal is comprised of an elastomeric polymer biased to return to its original shape after being squeezed or flexed.
 16. The three-dimensional, collectible greeting card of claim 10, wherein said three-dimensional, enclosable housing includes a transparent window.
 17. A method of producing a three-dimensional, collectible greeting card comprising: forming a three-dimensional, enclosable housing; providing at least one closeable opening in said enclosable housing; selecting a toy animal and placing it inside said three-dimensional, enclosable housing; and decorating the exterior of said three-dimensional, enclosable housing so as to be thematically consistent with said selected toy animal.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of: selecting an animal-associated insert and placing it inside said three-dimensional housing.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of: providing a list of thematically consistent messages, relative to said toy animal and said exterior design.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the toy animal is comprised of an elastomeric polymer biased to return to its original shape after being squeezed or flexed. 